Ionel Ungureanu was born into a family of musicians. As was customary in the Ungureanu household, he received classical training on the violin and was required to play in the family ensemble, where Romanian folk music was on the program alongside Bach and Mozart. Although his dream of playing in an orchestra later drew him to study music, Ionel broadened his musical horizons during his student days. Everything that captivated him during this time and still captivates him today is manifested in Borsch4Breakfast: artistic independence, composition, and genre diversity. 
In addition to his work with the band, Ionel is reaching for the stars in the classical viola scene: he performs with various orchestras in Germany's largest concert halls, regularly shares the stage with world-renowned performers from the classical music scene, and competes with the best of his generation in international competitions.  For example, in 2023, he won third prize and the special prize for the best interpretation of the commissioned composition at the ARD competition in the viola category. He currently plays as principal violist with the MDR Symphony Orchestra and teaches viola as a major subject at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich.